An Arty Party at L’Escargot

Tuesday 2nd November

L’Escargot | 48 Greek Street | Soho | W1D 4EF

How totally divine was our evening of Art at L’Escargot. Artist Henrietta Sophia Wallace enlightened us with the passion that drives her painting, sharing with us personal stories relating to her current collection. We were spoiled with canapes. Honestly the team at L’Escargot are food Artists. Our favorite was the delightfully delicious snails crafted from smoked salmon and cream cheese whose photo was shown so much love on Instagram. Tres, tres bien. Let’s not forget the tapenade toasts, Crab toasts, and the fast-disappearing cheese straws that went so well with the Sea Breeze welcome cocktail.  Thank you to Brian, Reda, Dom and the L ‘Escargot team.

Thank you to Sophia Henrietta Dunlop, it was wonderful for so many guests to hear your story.  Sophia has always been involved in the arts as a make-up artist/singer and documentary film maker. She lives in London’s Belgravia.  Her exhibition at L’Escargot is also available to view, along with her wider collection by appointment.  So please do email her directly on henrietta202@hotmail.com

A Wonderful Crowd … mixology of minds

As a planner of events, you might wonder how we put together consistently interesting mixes of people.  As the party starts to get near being sold out, we look at the guest list, as people inspire us to invite others who may not have been before or for a very long time.  Sophia’s wonderful art attracted more artists themselves and others who had extensive careers in hotels and hospitality.  The room buzzed with investors in start-ups and others putting great energy into sustainable ventures and, to saving our planet.   Conversations and introductions are what makes a party go boom!

Special Guest

Our featured charity event’s founder, Andrew Taylor, dropped by with his Black Labrador; when he asked if he could bring his cute four-legged friend, I immediately knew he could.  Owner of L’Escargot and old friend, Brian Clivaz, has the most fabulously eccentric bulldog called Doris and is often seen holding court somewhere in the restaurant, yes Doris, not Brian!

Some lovely feedback –

Thank you so much for yesterday evening. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming, and it was lovely to be out mingling with other like-minded people.  I especially enjoyed talking to one particular person! I think I got very lucky for my first singles event.

We had a really nice night Tuesday at L’Escargot and great to meet so many new faces, along with some regulars.

It was lovely meeting you on Tuesday. I thought the event was a real success, beautiful venue, engaging conversations. Looking forward to your future events.

A Glorious Grosvenor, we did Gallivant!

Weds 6^th October

The Biltmore Hotel

Our October party at The Biltmore, Grosvenor Square, was a glorious night of peachy pink ‘Axia Paradise’ cocktails complimenting the five-star interior-designed private room, warm lighting, cool music and outstanding canapes.

The Biltmore was certainly a magical backdrop for glamorous guests to meet and connect.

We enjoyed chef Paul Walsh’s marvellous creations of canapes;

Coronation chicken scotch eggs, Seared Bluefin Tuna with wasabi Mayonnaise, Whipped Tunworth Cheese with figs and Heather honey, Salt Marsh Lamb fritters with minted harissa yoghurt and Old Bay Seasoned King Prawns with mango Thai Som tam dip and Berkswell and quince croquettes. 

The whole experience left our taste buds tingling!

We sipped on delicious Axia Mastiha cocktails. Axia is a luxury spirit class blending old world tradition with new world innovation. Axia Brand Ambassador and Mixologist Mike Goncalves was on hand to talk us through how the brand came about and where it’s headed, you saw it here first!

Axia (meaning ‘value’ in Greek) is a refreshing, extra-dry Mastiha spirit.  Mastiha is found on the island of Chios. For over two thousand years this ancient superfood has been used to richly flavour foods and treat numerous ailments. A rare, versatile and sustainable ingredient whose authentic character cannot be replicated. It is definitely Greece’s most

exotic spice and Axia is set to be the cocktail mixologists favourite.

Thank you to the whole Biltmore team for your first-class service.  Paul Walsh for outstanding food, Sara, Matt, Nerijus and Morgan.  We so appreciate your attention to detail and making our party such a wonderful success.  We look forward to using our free Axia cocktail card – thank you!  And coming back again for more cocktails at The Pine Bar soon. 

Winter cocktails in a cosy bar, count me in! 

Barbara

x

Thank you Italian Greyhound!

Wednesday 1^st of September 2021

The Italian Grey Hound: Garden Room:  Marylebone W1.

Our ‘Italian Job’ party was a roaring and cheeky success, despite the absence of either Michael Caine or a fleet of red, white, and blue minis!

We love having our very own room – the naughty corner in the basement bar, complete with an outside courtyard that was clearly the place to be.  ‘You will always find me in the courtyard at parties’, as Jonah Louie would have sung had he been there, and boy, he should have been.

A delicious, chilled glass of their Italian Grillo greeted us, and then a procession of gorgeous bite-sized Pizzettas – with colourful aphrodisiac toppings:

Vesuvius tomato, anchovy, oregano & wild rocket

Calabrian chilli sausage, wild chicory, Stracciatella

Yellow peach, Prosciutto di Norcia, ricotta, basil

We were joined by radiant Health Coach Eva Akerholm. She spoke with several guests who had different issues ranging from wanting to lose weight, managing stress, increasing energy levels and specific dietary issues. If you would like to contact her, her email is eakerholm@yahoo.co.uk

The transformed Bernardi’s was the perfect setting for our singles to mingle. It’s spacious garden room and restaurant refreshed with subtle hues, think Farrow & Ball and stripey awnings with plenty of vibrant outdoor space. Loving the new name too – out with The Doghouse private room, in with The Italian Greyhound.  Woof woof!

More marvellous memories were made in this W1 basement gem, adding to the many we have gathered over the years.

Thank you, Italian Greyhound, for being such generous hosts. We enjoyed it immensely and look forward to returning to this chic bar and restaurant as a regular rendezvous favourite Date Nightspot.

Some lovely feedback –

Dear Barbara

Thank you for organising yesterday evening’s superb event at The Italian Greyhound and for kindly finding a ticket for me in time. I had the most wonderful evening! Haven’t enjoyed myself so much for ages! Met a wide selection of really lovely people and made new friends and am already very excited for the next event. I very much felt I was finally meeting people with whom I resonate: my tribe, as you said.

Can’t wait for the next one!

P x

Good afternoon, Barbara,

I just wanted to say, what a wonderful evening I had, last night. I met so many wonderful, like- minded people. I will definitely be attending another evening!

Best

T

HI Barbara,

Thanks for a fun evening last night and glad to know about the venue. I had a number of interesting conversations; it’s refreshing that you can circulate easily.   I thought the pizza was especially delicious!

M x

Bentley’s Summer Lightning – A Summer Success!

SUMMER LIGHTNING PARTY AT BENTLEY’S OYSTER BAR & GRILL

Tuesday 3rd August 2021

The frankly chilly! August weather did not stop our lively crowd of single professionals from dressing to impress for our stunning party at Bentley’s. The elegant, spacious Swallow Street rooms, one of Piccadilly’s hidden gems, downstairs was the perfect backdrop for us to socialise in our private rooms – yes, not one but two.

The party kicked off with a welcome glass of Piper Heidsieck champagne with Richard Corrigan’s kitchen treating us with spoonsful of delicious Ceviche of Scallops and Gurnard Red Onion, Lime, Chilli along with cheese Gougère bites. Oysters could be ordered by those fancying them or indeed fancying sharing them! The impeccable Bentleys team of Adrian, Corrado and Alexis were on hand to keep our chattering crowd’s orders filled with great efficiency, no long queues at the bar for us. We had better things to do!

Who recognised our friend Bethany Russell, not is she just a raven-haired dream of a girl, she knows how to run an event and genuinely loves mingling and chatting and making sure everyone is happy.   I think there is a blog about her fine self somewhere on the Rendezvous website! We have a long history of working together. It’s not just Lou and I she gets along so well with. She loves all you gorgeous, fun, brilliant and maybe slightly eccentric people! Bethany and I met at Franco’s famous Rosé party and have run parties together at The Goat, Aquavit, The Court, Franco’s and now Bentley’s.

Now then, back to you lovely people… what a guest list we had, we booked 75 people for a party in August. Woop! 10 of those were pinged on the days running up to the party, but the United Pingdom of Rendezvous was not deterred, everything aligned perfectly, and on the night, we had a marvellously even split of men and women. We were delighted to welcome so many new guests and mingle into the crowd – thank you, Robin S, for helping us do that.

The room was quickly buzzing with conversation and laughter, with some choosing the quiet area of the library side to get to know each other.

It’s wonderful to hear that so many of you started new friendships and even were spotted eating a late supper upstairs. Bentley’s have three parties of their own in August, so if you fancy dropping in again, please check our newsletter (or their website) for details.

Some Lovely Feedback –

Good morning Barbara,

Thank you for inviting me to yesterday’s Summer Lightning Party. It was a real pleasure to meet you in person and thank you for all your hard work in putting together such a great mix of people in a great venue.

I had a lovely evening and have connected with a few people whom may become real friends, which is what it’s all about.

Warmest regards,

P

Dear Barbara

Thank you for organising the Bentleys event last night, it was very well attended with some charming people.

B

Dear Barbara,

Thank you so much for a delightful party last night, I had a great time. After the difficult lock down months, everyone was in the mood to party, so there was a lively, friendly atmosphere. You are a great hostess, always very welcoming and you always manage to gather such interesting people!

Looking forward to your next event.

M x

Hello Barbara

Many thanks for a very entertaining evening last night.  Everyone’s delight at being able to mingle and meet new people was palpable. 

It also was striking how friendly everyone was, men and women, I look forward to coming again.

Best

P

Rendezvous Returns at 28:50 Chelsea

Rendezvous Return Party at 28°- 50° Chelsea

22nd June 2021

What a wonderful night we had at the swish new Chelsea edition of our favourite restaurant family: 28:50. Our first party since September last year, how crazy to have had our wings clipped for all this time.

We were greeted by 28:50’s Head of Marketing, Jen Atkins, who is an unstoppable force; no ask, however small, is a problem such is her uniquely positive attitude.  Like a champagne cork that has just popped, she was off like a torpedo hosting our every whim.  I don’t know about you, our wonderful guests, but I could get used to that!  More effervescence came in the form of a glass of Prosecco on arrival which slipped down exceptionally well and 28:50 treated us with their signature snacks including delicious truffle arancini and artichoke tempura with aioli.  And just as it looked as if we might be about to faint from hunger (maybe a slight exaggeration) along came tray after tray of man-size burgers on delightfully light and fluffy brioche buns, I think the word on everyone’s lips was ‘don’t mind if I do’.

So, I think you’re getting the picture. Sumptuous and brand-new restaurant, highly capable staff including the fabulous Jen, Manager Monika overseeing, and the wonderful Ruben topping up drinks.

And what about our guests?  Yes, you.  There was such great energy in the room; the newbies were scooped up and treated like old friends and old friends treated as precious treasure.  It really is such a joy to have Rendezvous’ wonderful events back – thank you all for supporting us over the years and continually introducing us to your delightful, single friends.

Looking forward to a bigger party in August and I do apologise (on behalf of Boris) for the smaller numbers.

Some lovely feedback….

“Just want to thank you for a lovely evening. So good to see old friends and make links with new”

“Great evening last night.  So good to be back seeing all the Rendezvous-ers and to be free again socialising and seeing all the gang!! Loved the venue and the food was very good!! Looking forward to the next event”

“Thank you very much for organising such a great evening, I really enjoyed meeting new people and having lots of superb chats.”

How to strengthen your immune system

How to strengthen your immune system | with Eva Akerholm | March 21^st 2021

As we start to go out and mingle with our families and friends again, it’s worth taking some steps now to prevent falling ill when we meet our loved ones.

Barbara chatted to a renowned health coach, Eva Akerholm.  The talk was a positive exploration of the impacts of isolation and restriction, and how to come out of it strong and healthy.

Eva talked about how the Covid pandemic has caused a number of factors that actually weakens our immune system at a time when:

• Staying inside with no direct sunlight makes us deficient in Vit D.
• Limited time outdoors reduces our access to oxygen and masks means we breathe in toxins.
• The extended period of isolation with lack of human contact is mentally challenging.
• Lack of exposure of the immune system to viruses and bacteria makes it weaker.

Eva’s long-held passion to support people to become healthier and find a balance in their life is paramount in this interview.

If you were unable to join us – please do take the opportunity to watch the video.  It’s only 30 mins and there is a lively Q&A at the end.

Youtube link https://youtu.be/oc1stDTZHAA

Who is Eva Akerholm?

Eva’s passion is to support people to become healthier and find a balance in their life. She is a certified Health Coach who studied at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in NYC. The holistic approach covers, among other things, exercise, career, relationship, and spirituality. What we eat is driven by the way we live so by becoming aware of our cravings, understanding the impact of stress on our bodies and how lack of sleep impacts our appetite, we can start to turn life around, find balance and consciously eat and live the life we want and deserve.  A trial 30 min session starts at £20 to assess your health goals and to see if you’re suited to work together. Email: – eakerholm@yahoo.co.uk

A lovely time in the Vines

Mirabeau brought some Southern French fun into our homes and gardens with a very special virtual rosé experience. It was lovely seeing you, chairs pulled up, glass of the pink poured, and joining us for an entertaining hour.

Stephen and Jeany Cronk, founders of Mirabeau en Provence, were live from Domain Mirabeau, their sumptuous wine estate tucked away in the heart of Provence. With their good-humoured story about the ups and downs and process of establishing the UK’s most popular rosé brand it was a welcome break from the Lockdown blues.

Podcast – “Divorce Needn’t be Complicated”

While in Covid-lockdown, Rendezvous chatted to The Divorce Surgery. If you or someone close to you needs advice on divorcing the considerate way, read on.

The Divorce Surgery was set up by Samantha Woodham and Harry Gates both family law barristers who were tired of seeing couples fighting in court; left at the end much poorer, emotionally, and financially.

When it comes to divorce it is an emotional roller coaster. One moment you will perceive ‘I’ve got this’ only to feel upside down and have no idea where to turn moments later. The challenge is often not knowing where to begin. Divorce remains shrouded in stigma; associated with acrimony, stress, and huge legal fees. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you do want legal advice but are anxious about cost then consider using a fixed-fee, One Couple One Lawyer service. The Divorce Surgery can direct the disclosure process and provide an expert barrister to advise you both together as to what a court would consider fair.

Listen to Rendezvous talking to The Divorce Surgery

Latest Ideas for an Outdoor Date!